Clash of NFLs top 2 defenses when Browns Ravens meet this week in key AFC North matchup

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Clash of NFLs top 2 defenses when Browns Ravens meet this week in key AFC North matchup

BEREA, Ohio (AP) Deshaun Watson's most recent view of Baltimore's stingy, snarling defense came from the safety of Cleveland's sideline.This week, he'll be in harm's way.Watson, who returned last week after mi sing four games on Oct. 1 with a right shoulder injury, will be facing a Baltimore defense on Sunday that leads the NFL in several statistical categories.And a few of the ones not topped by the Ravens are led by the Browns.ADVERTISEMENT Baltimore's defense ranks No. 1 in points allowed (13.8), touchdowns allowed (10) sacks (35) Anze Kopitar Men Jersey and red zone (33%), while Cleveland is first in total defense (234.8 yards) pa sing (145) and third down efficiency (26%) with the Ravens right behind the Browns in the latter two metrics, respectively.Watson doesn't have to pour over any stat sheets to know what he's up against.Theyre very talented, he said Wednesday. "They know exactly what they want to do. A lot of guys have played a lot of football, a lot of depth in that defense, and they make you earn everything. So theyre coached very well, very great players, and you got to go out there and try Jeff Zatkoff Jersey to earn each and every yard.Watson surprisingly mi sed the matchup last month with the Ravens. Although he was limited in practice leading into the game with what was initially called a bruised shoulder and became a strain, Watson was expected to start before experiencing some pain during an on-field workout hours before kickoff.The Browns (5-3) were forced to play rookie backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who had no chance against the Ravens (7-2) in his pro debut.Thompson-Robinson was sacked four times, intercepted three and finished with just 121 yards pa sing as the Ravens feasted on a young QB, something Baltimore's defenses have been known to do over the past two decades.While that outcome was somewhat predictable, Baltimore's succe s against Cleveland's defense wasn't.Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ran for two touchdowns (he was untouched on both) and had two TD pa ses as Baltimore humbled a Cleveland defense that was coming off a thrashing of Tenne see the week before.Always electric, Jackson was also efficient in completing 15 of 19 pa ses for 186 yards. The Browns sacked him three times but didn't do enough and the Ravens, who now lead the league in rushing, rolled up 131 yards on the ground.The Browns believe they learned some le sons that day, and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. said it's pretty easy to identify what has to change this week.Not Derek Forbort Women Jersey give up 28 points, he said. We've got to stop the run better, obviously thats how we start every week focusing on stopping the run, be fundamentally sound and pa s rush lanes and all that. Dont let em get out the pocket and make a throw on the run. Just play overall better.Cleveland's defense can't play any better than it did last week.Much the same way the Ravens overwhelmed Thompson-Robinson, the Browns were relentle s against Arizona rookie QB Clayton Tune, sacking him seven times and holding the Cardinals to just 58 yards in Cleveland's first shutout since 2007.Walker knows the key to stopping the Ravens is containing Jackson, who is 7-3 in 10 starts and has thrown his most TD pa ses (13) against Cleveland. However, this is also a chance for the Browns to see how they measure up against a proven defense.Yeah, were playing against their offense, he said. We understand that, but in some aspects we are playing against their defense. The way you win in football is having more Andy Andreoff Women Jersey points at the end of the game and our job is to hold them to le s points than we have and their defenses job is the same thing. So it is in that aspect, it's our defense versus their defense.As for Watson, he knows better than to make this about him and Jackson.I've got to focus on attacking this defense, he said. If I get worried about another quarterback, Im not going to play well. I've got to focus on the two linebackers, the edge rushers and the secondary and what they want to try to present with us.Thats my main focus, its the Ravens defense.NOTES: It remains to be seen who will protect Watson's back. With starting LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) on injured reserve, Cleveland's line will have a look new against Baltimore's stout front. However, coach Kevin Stefanski isn't showing his hand. We're working through our options, said Stefanski. Rookie RT Dawand Jones (shoulder/knee) could slide to the left, but he mi sed Wednesday's practice. Swing tackle James Hudson filled in for 34 plays at left tackle after Wills got hurt, but began the week working at right tackle. ... CB Greg Newsome (groin), TE David Njoku (knee), WR Marquise Goodwin (concu sion) and RB NHL Los Angeles Kings Jersey Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) also sat out.___AP NFL:
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